GENERAL INFORMATION |
Common Name: |
Rainbow Trout |
Scientific Name: |
Oncorhynchus mykiss |
Diet: |
Invertebrates, insects, larvae, small fish, worms, and zooplankton. Rainbow Trout will often stray far from cover to find food. |
Habitat: |
Rivers, stream, and lakes statewide |
Spawn: |
Spring over gravel. Eggs hatch in about one month. Fry emerge from the gravel about two to three weeks later. |
Distribution: |
Cool and cold waters statewide |
Origin: |
Native to western North America |
Characteristics: |
Colors vary greatly with patterns depending on habitat, size, and maturity. River/stream and
migrant spawning fish are darker and have more intense colors than lake residents or nonspawners.
Lake residents tend to be silvery. A mature rainbow is dark green to bluish on the back with
silvery sides. The reddish horizontal line typifies the species. Belly is usually white to silvery.
Irregular black spots are usually present on the head, back and sides. |
